Process of making a confectionery product

ABSTRACT

A continuous confectionery product having discrete articles, such as peanuts or raisins, applied to the outer surface is made by passing a continuous confectionery rope through a rotating drum applicator. The applicator includes a hollow rotating drum having a circumferential groove adapted to cooperate with the continuously moving confectionery rope. A plurality of air passages are provided in the groove and a vacuum is applied to the inner surface of the drum whereby the drum picks up peanuts or raisins as they pass by a hopper. A positive pressure is applied to the holes in the drum as the peanuts or raisin come into contact with the confectionery rope to release the peanut or raisin and allow it to adhere to the confectionery rope. The rope then passes to a cutting station where it is cut into uniform lengths and coated with a suitable confectionery coating.

This application is a division of prior U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.632,823, filed July 20, 1984.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many attempts have been made in the prior art to apply discretearticles, such as peanuts, raisins, or the like, to an outer surface ofa moving, continuous, rope of a comestible material. The rope may be anextrudate rope, or it may be formed by rolling or other formingoperations.

In the prior art, making of a confectionery product is accomplished asfollows.

Where an extrudate rope is to be processed by application thereto, theextrudate rope 100 can be formed by extrusion through an opening whilethe rope is not. The extrudate, shortly after being extruded, beingrelatively thick and hot, must be cooled so that it does not either fallapart or flatten during further processing. While following a coolingpath the extrudate rope 100 can be stretched.

The extrudate rope at this early stage is slightly non-uniform, and ispreferrably cooled along a relatively long path during which it ispreferrably stretched at a pair of rollers so as to be suspended and soas to be formed by stretching into a relatively uniform size. Whilesuspended the extrudate rope, which is preferrably composed of fudge atthis point, can be surrounded by caramel at a nozzle inlet and canthereby be is coated by the caramel which adheres to the fudge.

At this point, the extrudate rope passes through a trough containingpeanuts so that peanuts surround the extrudate rope 100. The caramel,being sticky, causes some of the peanuts to adhere to the extrudate rope100. The extrudate rope, at this point, is relatively cool and resistsstretching, so that further operations can be made upon the extrudaterope 100.

The extrudate rope is then cut by a guillotine cutter into bars having arelatively uniform length. The bars are then inspected to see that arelatively uniform coating of peanuts is maintained upon each bar. Dueto the uneven distribution of peanuts upon some of the bars, those barsmust be rejected. During this process, approximately 30% of the barsmust be rejected for uneven peanut distribution. This is a significantproblem which is addressed by the present invention.

Although a single extrudate rope has been discussed, ordinarily multiplerows of extrudate ropes are processed simultaneously. In one apparatus,for example, 16 rows across are used. The extrudate rope of fudge whichis initially formed, is formed into a relatively square sided bar. Aftercoating with caramel and peanuts, the bar assumes a somewhat morerounded shape.

Due to U.S. Government labeling requirements, as well as due to therequirements that the end product fit properly into standardizedpackages, it is an important problem in the art to form more uniformproducts including a relatively uniform bar shape and size and a moreuniform coating of peanuts that is well-predictable. Thus, in keepingwith the weight specified on the package labels, a highly uniformproduct can be made so as to very slightly exceed or equal the packagelabeling requirements. Also, as to ingredients, a highly uniform productresults in less rejection loss where rejection loss occurs due tofailure to meet the package labeling specification of ingredients andweight. The present invention addresses these problems.

If automated packaging techniques and machinery are to be used inconnection with the end products of the present invention, i.e. candybars, uniform peanut deposition is crucial. Also, during the operationsto arrange the bars for packaging, the bars will rub together and unlessthe peanuts are uniformly well-embedded in the bar substate, peanuts mayfall off.

Following deposition of the peanuts, a chocolate coating is dripped onthe product. After cooling, this chocolate-coated bar forms the endproduct. This end product is referred to hereinafter as candy bars.

Several attempts have been made in the prior art to attack theabove-identified problems. Fogt in U.S. Pat. No. 2,032,962, teaches afruit and nut feeding mechanism; Evanson et al, in U.S. Pat. No.3,245,360, teaches an apparatus for forming a confectionery product;Zeun, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,566,712, teaches a machine for depositing nutson candy bars; and Zeun in U.S. Pat. No. 2,547,516, teaches another typeof machine for depositing nuts on candy bars.

In Evanson, an apparatus for forming a confectionery product is shown,the confectionery product having nougat, caramel, and nuts as seen inFIG. 23 (for a round product) and in FIG. 24 (for a square crosssectional product). A nut dispenser assembly is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and4. A dispenser housing 48 has an impeller 52 with impeller blades 53mounted on a drum 54 thereof. The impeller is keyed to one end of animpeller shaft 59. The final product has a nougat center that is coatedwith caramel and a layer of salted nuts which are at least partiallyembedded in the caramel. The impeller 52, through its rotation depositsa layer of salted peanuts on the belt 43. The sidewalls of the dispenserserves to retain nuts on the belt. A vibrator 13 spreads the nuts in aneven layer as shown in FIG. 17. The belt travels under a carameldispenser nozzle 202. If the caramel is too hot, it will melt thenougat; if too cold, it will not properly adhere to the peanuts.

The fruit and nut feeding mechanism of Fogt introduces pieces of ediblesolids such as fruits or nuts into a flowing stream of plasticcomestible material such as semi-frozen ice cream, water ice, orsherbet. Fogt attempts to avoid crushing of the solid edible pieces suchas fruits or nuts during dispensing thereof. A plurality of pockets aremovable into position to receive the solid articles by gravity directlyfrom an outlet of a hopper. Also, a mechanism is used to stir a mass ofsolid pieces in a hopper to maintain a fow of pieces. Each pocket isperiodically moved into and out of communication with the confined pathof travel of the plastic stream and the contents of each pocket areforcably injected into the flowing stream. The mouth of the pockets aresealed as they pass from charging to discharging position, and fromdischarging to charging position. Lifting fingers are provided near thehopper outlet. These are operated by operating rods which lie close tothe inclined wall of the hopper. The fingers stir up the mass ofarticles only near the discharge end of the hopper where jamming is mostlikely to take place.

A machine for depositing nuts on candy bars, shown in Zeun U.S. Pat. No.2,566,712 employs a plurality of rods 79 which are actuated to presspeanuts into an underlying substrate, which substrate is edible. Arotary carrier employs a vacuum communicating with pockets 50, whichpockets suck peanuts into pockets 50 and pockets pass beneath a peanuthopper full of peanuts. As the pockets pass from the hopper to adischarge position above the edible candy bars, the nuts are retained inthe pockets by suction and also by a shield 84. When the pockets reachthe discharge position above the candy bars 51, cams force tubes 75outwardly, causing pins 78 and 79 to close ports 62 and 63 and cut offthe vacuum from the pockets 50 and 50a. Further, the outward movement ofthe pins 78, 79, by engagement with the peanuts in the pockets,positively ejects the nuts from the pockets and pushes them into theupper surface of the candy bars.

Another type of machine for depositing nuts on candy bars is seen inZeun U.S. Pat. No. 2,547,516. Here, a device is shown which is similarto that described in the above relating to the Zeun U.S. Pat. No.2,566,712 reference. Here, a rotary agitator 60 has a plurality of wiperblades 63 formed of flexible material. This causes nuts which notentered openings 30 in the plate to be pushed into the openings and alsoto move the nuts away from an in turned branch 65. An arctuate shield 71retains the nuts in the openings 30 as the drum rotates the peanuts to apoint directly overlying a candy bar. The shield terminates at a pointat which it is desired that the peanuts fall onto the candy bar.Furthermore, pins 110 act to push each peanut into the candy bars as thepeanuts are deposited. Here, no vacuum need be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide animproved peanut applicator for dispensing peanuts onto an ediblesubstrate.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus forco-extruding nugget and caramel under conditions of controlledtemperature.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapplicator for edible articles which includes a source of vacuum, asource of pressurized air, and a rotating drum for applying articles.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a meansfor guiding a continuous extrudate rope so that it remains directlybeneath an applicator.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide animproved system for forming a confectionery product including a meansfor co-extruding nugget and caramel, a means for controlling thetemperature of each of the extrudates, a means for conveying anextrudate rope formed by the co-extruded product, a means for applyingedible articles to the extrudate rope.

The improved apparatus of the present invention comprises a rotarypeanut applicator for applying peanuts to the top and sides of atraveling extrudate rope formed of nugget and caramel comestiblematerial. A rotary drum is used to transfer peanuts from a peanut hopperto the extrudate rope. The drum has a plurality of small holes therein,which when coupled with a vacuum applied to the interior of the drum,causes peanuts to individually adhere to each individual hole.

At a point at which deposition of peanuts upon the extrudate rope is tooccur, a source of pressurized air is applied to the holes directlyoverlying the extrudate rope. This causes separation of the peanut fromthe drum. A zone of pressurized air is created for approximately 30degrees of arch travel of the drum, so as to cause any peanuts notdeposited upon the extrudate rope to fall off the drum where they can becollected and returned to the top of a peanut hopper which supplies thedrum with peanuts.

The improved apparatus of the present invention is usable in an improvedsystem of the present invention, which includes a novel co-extruder forco-extruding the nugget and caramel which comprise the extrudate rope.Further, the temperature of the nugget and of the caramel is carefullycontrolled at the extruder so as to avoid melting of nugget while at thesame time maintaining sufficient stickiness and softness of the caramelas to cause sticking of peanuts to the caramel.

Also, a guide means is usable in the system described above tofacilitate proper positioning of the extrudate rope beneath a grooveformed in the rotating drum, the groove being the area upon the drumwhich carries the peanuts. Also, a drive for the rotating drum includesa motor and transmission assembly. A source of vacuum, connected to thedrum by a vacuum hose, is included also. Two pressurized supply linessupply two upstanding walls which have a cavity formed therein forconducting and communicating the air supply through the bottom of eachof the walls which is closely adjacent the rotating drum. The wallsthemselves are stationary and are fixed to a stationary plate.

A conveyor belt conveys extrudate rope from the co-extruder to thepeanut applicating drum. The conveyor belt may preferrably continue onto a location where chocolate syrup is applied to the extrudate rope sothat it overlies the peanuts and the caramel layers. The conveying meanspreferrably continues onward to a location where the extrudate rope iscut into single bars. This may be done by a guillotine cutter, by amoving knife, by a hot wire, or by any other cutting means.

The individual bars are then conveyed to packaging equipment, where theyare individually wrapped and sealed. The individually wrapped candy barsare then packaged into cartons or boxes. Cartons or boxes are thentransferred to distributors and retailers.

By this means of production, and due to the carefully controlledtemperatures at the co-extruder and the precise application of peanutsto the extrudate rope, the resulting candy bars so produced are of ahighly uniform, shape, weight, and position, as compared to othermethods of forming the product as shown in the prior art. This isadvantageous in that the wrappers, having a pre-labeled weight andingredient list, and having a predetermined size, thus correctly statethe minimum net weight and the ingredient list. This minimizes excessweight required to assure that all of the candy bars exceed or meet thestated weight. Furthermore, the wrappers having a predetermined size,packaging of the candy bars is enhanced and may be made automatic, usingautomated machinery, because highly uniform candy bars can be readilypackaged in this manner. In the prior art, up to 30% of all candy barsproduced according to prior art methods were removed before packagingbecause they did not meet the minimum weight, shape, appearance, andother requirements of the finished product. Where the bars were not ofsufficiently regular shape or uniformity, packaging by automaticmachinery is not possible because an improperly sized candy bar, or oneof sufficiently irregular shape (for example, due to misapplication ofpeanuts), tends to jam automatic machinery which results in costlydelays.

The peanut applicator of the present invention may advantageously beemployed in conjunction with the apparatus which produces a rope havingthe same general shape, composition, and size as the rope produced bythe co-extruder. In this type of apparatus, only the nugget center isextruded, a lengthy conveying system being employed to allow the nuggetto cool.

With this type of prior art device, the nugget, having sufficientlycooled, is conveyed in such manner as to be suspended at one point,which suspension can be made to accomplish two purposes. First, theextrudate rope is thereby stretched so as to be of a final desireddiameter; and second while suspended it can be emersed or coated on allsides by a caramel coating.

The caramel coating must be maintained at a sufficiently hightemperature that it, at a later stage of processing, retains sufficientheat and is sufficiently sticky as to retain the peanuts applied to itat that later stage without the peanuts falling off. For this to ocur,the caramel must be sufficiently soft that the peanuts applied will sinkinto the caramel somewhat. However, the caramel coating must besufficiently cool that melting of the nugget layer does not occur. Anysoftening or melting of the nugget layer beyond the desired nuggettemperature will result in deformation of the nugget and its surroundingcaramel coating. This would tend to flaten the resulting candy bar,making it unsuitable for packaging.

In present systems, peanuts may be applied as taught by the prior artpatents discussed in the above, or by suspending the caramel-coverednugget and pulling the rope through a supply of peanuts. This reliesupon chance and upon the stickiness of the caramel to afix a sufficientnumber of peanuts, in an appropriate distribution to provide anacceptable candy bar. Due to this random variation in product quality,up to 30% of the resulting candy bars may be rejected. Furthermore, theprior art teachings of applying patents are either too expensive, toocumbersome, or are too prone to failure or jamming, as compared with theappartus of the present invention.

The co-extruder, which in and of itself is already known in the priorart may additionally have temperature gauges or meters as well asheating or cooling means as desired. Further, in the present inventionit is contemplated that a thermostat or other temperature controllingdevice may be employed in conjunction with the temperature meter andwith the heating or cooling means to separately maintain both the nuggetand the caramel at predetermined temperature levels. Thus, thetemperature of the extrudate rope leaving the co-extruder nozzle is of ahighly uniform temperature and therefore spreading, stretching, andother changes in the rope are no longer unpredictable, but would ratherlead to production of a highly uniform product having predeterminedcharacteristics.

It is also contemplated that the peanut applicator of the presentinvention be used in conjunction with a tamping device for tamping thepeanuts deeper into the caramel layer. This tamping device, which may bea set of rollers, or moving arms, or which may be done manually ifnecessary, causes the peanuts adhering to the caramel to be more deeplyembedded in the caramel layer. This results in fewer peanuts being lostduring further processing, and also results in a more highly regularshape which enhances the packability of the resulting candy bars.

Further details and advantages of the present invention appear from thefollowing description from a preferred embodiment shown schematically inthe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section of the peanut applicator ofthe present invention in operation;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the peanut applicator of the presentinvention in operation;

FIG. 3 is a side, sectional view of the extrudate rope and conveyorbelt;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the peanut applicator, with the partsshown in perspective;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the peanut applicator showingvarious parts in dotted outline;

FIG. 6 is a side, sectional view of the peanut applicator shown in FIG.5, the view being taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an air supply end plate accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the end plate of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of another end plate according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the end plate of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a front wall plate according tothe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a rear wall plate according tothe present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a rotating drum end member;

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the end member of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a cylindrical drum memberaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the drum member in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of a shaft nut applicator rod;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the applicator rod in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of a portion of the drum member ofFIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the rear side of a stationary drum endmember;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of the end member of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a side sectional view taken along line 22--22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a side sectional view of the end member of FIG. 21 takenalong line 23--23;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the end member of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of a hose connector;

FIG. 26 is a side sectional view of the hose connector of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a side view, partially in section of the guide meansaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A partially broken away elevational view of a peanut applicator inoperation according to the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1. Anextrudate rope 100 moves from right to left as indicated by the arrows,in FIG. 1. The extrudate rope 100 is supported by a moving conveyor belt201. The extrudate rope 100 passes beneath a rotating drum end member 3which applies individual peanuts 601 to the top of the extrudate rope100.

A peanut hopper having a hopper back wall 710 and a slanted hopper rearwall 711 holds a peanut supply 600. The rotating drum end member 3 picksup peanuts from the peanut hopper and rotates them to a position atwhich they are applied to the top and sides of the extrudate rope 100.As seen in FIG. 1, a flat end member outer wall 33 rotates with acylindrical drum member 4 (which picks up peanuts as discussedhereunder). A cylindrical shaft body 11 is seen supporting the rotatingdrum end member 3 and the cylindrical drum member 4 for rotation. Ashaft bore 98 in the rotating drum end member 3 receives the cylindricalshaft body 11. The rotating drum end member 3 and the cylindrical drummember 4 are in an enclosure formed by, as seen in FIG. 1, a top frontwall plate edge 83, a top rear wall plate edge 193, and an end platerear side 95. A top plate edge 91 of an end plate 17 is shown in thefigure.

As the extrudate rope 100 passes beneath the cylindrical drum member 4,individual peanuts 601 are applied to extrudate rope 100. The extrudaterope 100 is shown in FIG. 3 as being of a generally rectangular crosssection, having a caramel coating 105 and a nougat center 110. Theextrudate rope 100 may be formed by any process, for example byco-extrusion of the caramel coating 105 and the nougat center 110, or inthe alternative the nougat center 110 may be formed first by extrusionor by other means, and the caramel coating 105 applied later.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the peanut applicator of FIG. 1.Additionally, drive means and connections for vacuuming an air suply areshown in FIG. 2. In this figure, a plurality of structural supportmembers 907 are shown supporting the applicator assembly. The structuralsupport members 907 are simply structural metal members which arewelded, rivoted, or otherwise fastened to stationary portions of thepeanut applicator, including a front wall plate 8 and at the rear to theend plate 7 and to the air supply end plate 6. Alternatively, the rearstructural support members 907 may be connected to a rear wall plate 9seen in FIG. 2. Nonetheless, any support means may be used in thepresent invention, for example the peanut applicator apparatus could besuspended by attachment of a cable to any of the stationary parts(discussed hereunder). Alternatively, trust-racing could be used aswell, or any other known type of structural support which can beanchored to any non-moving structures. In FIG. 2, the structural supportmembers 907 are fixedly supported by a plurality of structural supportbases 908, which in the usual case could be supports fastened to a flooror maybe a part of the floor itself.

An electric motor 902 shown in FIG. 2 is elevated above the conveyorbelt 201. The electric motor 902 has an electrical cord 903 forsupplying electrical power to the electric motor 902. The electric motor902 has a motor output shaft 904. The motor output shaft 904 isconnected, as is conventionally known, to a transverse bevel gear 905which rotates a shaft angled downwardly from top to bottom in FIG. 2.Thus, the shaft of the transverse bevel gear 905 passes beneath thepeanut hopper of FIG. 2 to a location where it rotates a chain drivepulley 909.

The chain drive pulley 909 is connected by a chain passing beneath oneof the structural support members 907. The chain drive 906 then connectsabout a Boston collar 120 which then rotates the peanut applicatormoving parts.

Although an electric motor 902 is shown as being used in the presentinvention, any type of rotary drive may be used. For example a pnuematicmotor may be used, or a steam-driven motor may be used, or any type ofrotary drive contemplated as being within the scope of the presentinvention. Furthermore, instead of a transmission linking a rotary driveto the Boston collar 120, the Boston collar 120 may be rotated directlyby any known rotary drive means.

A vacuum pump 921 seen in FIG. 2 drawing air from the interior of thecylindrical drum member 4 by means of a vacuum hose 922 which isconnected to a hose connector 5 which communicates with the interior ofthe structural support members 907. A pair of air supply hoses 931 areshown in FIG. 2 supplying air to portions of the interior of thecylindrical drum member 4, as explained further hereunder. A clamp 901is shown in FIG. 2 connecting the peanut hopper to the rear wall plate 9of the peanut applicator. The clamp 901 has a handle member which can beadjusted to tighten or loosen the clamp 901. Nonetheless, any type ofconnection may be made between the peanut supply hopper and the peanutappllicator of the present invention. For example, the peanut supplyhopper may be welded to the rear wall plate 9 of the peanut applicator,or it may be rivoted, bolted, glued, ultrasonically welded, or attachedthereto by any means whatsoever. The peanut supply hopper has a width atleast equal to that of the groove formed in the cylindrical drum member4 shown in FIG. 2. However, for convenience and ease of operation, thepeanut hopper should be at least as wide as the cylindrical drum member4 itself and preferrably wider than the entire peanut applicatorassembly so that constant refilling can be avoided.

The height or depth of the peanut hopper is also generally arbitrary solong as a sufficient number of peanuts are supplied (as seen in the viewof FIG. 1) to the cylindrical drum member 4 such that a sufficientnumber of individual peanuts 601 are available for deposition onto theextrudate rope 100. The peanut hopper is composed of a hopper back wall710, to hopper side walls 700, and a threaded bores 620. However, theenclosure for the peanut hopper may have any arbitrary shape, such ascylindrical, spherical, triangular, or the like, so long as theenclosure, as seen in FIG. 1 having a slanted hopper rear wall 711, issufficiently shaped to retain peanuts against the cylindrical drummember 4 without spalling or spilling of peanuts away from the peanuthopper.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the parts forming the peanut applicatorassembly, but not including the parts for the peanut hopper portion ofthe peanut applicator. A front wall plate 8 is connectable to an endplate 7 and to an air supply end plate 6 to form a portion of a rigidenclosure of the rotating parts, which are the rotating drum end member3, the cylindrical drum member 4, the shaft nut applicator rod 1, andboth the near Boston collar 120 (as seen in FIG. 4) and the far Bostoncollar 120. The enclosure is completed by assembly of the rear wallplate 9 to the edges of the air supply end plate 6 and the end plate 7.

The stationary components include the enclosure members described above,as well as the hose connector 5, the air supply end plate 6, thestationary drum end members 2. Bolts connect stationary portionstogether, as suggested in the figures, as well as connecting therotating drum end member 3 to the cylindrical drum member 4. The partsare further described in the remaining figures showing the individualcomponents of the peanut applicator assembly. In FIG. 4, small detailshave been omitted in order to give a clear teaching of exactly how thecomponents are assembled together in a perspective manner.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the peanut applicator assemblyfrom the opposite side of that shown in FIG. 1, and generally with thenear side same as that shown in FIG. 4. Here, the peanut hopper is seenas having a hopper side wall 712, which is beneath the hopper side walls700. Also, the connection of the hose connector 5 is more clearly shownin relationship with a curvilinear slot 24.

Also, the connection of the exterior facing plate surface 610 to the airsupply end plate 6 is shown as being by a plurality of retaining bolts720, only two of which are shown in FIG. 5, the remaining beingindicated as being evenly spaced about a radius occupied by the tworetaining bolts 720 shown. A first upstanding stationary wall 25 and asecond upstanding stationary wall 26 is shown in dotted outline in FIG.5, together with an air inlet passageway 290 shown in dotted outline ineach one.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is an air hose inlet location 941 and an air hoseinlet location 942. The slots exposing a portion of the stationary drumend members 2 are seen in FIG. 5. Also, the rear wall plate body 190 ofthe rear wall plate 9 is shown in dotted outline in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5. In thisview, the various components are shown in section as they would beassembled together during operation. Only the cylindrical shaft body 11of the shaft nut applicator rod 1 is not shown in section, but rather incut-away for clarity. The air hose inlet location 941 is seen formedthrough the air supply end plate 6 in FIG. 6. The air hose inletlocation 941 communicates with an air inlet passageway 290 which in turncommunicates with an air supply bore 29 which in turn communicates withan air supply slot 28; all of which are formed in the stationary drumend members 2. As the cylindrical drum member 4 rotates, each of the airpassages 42 pass adjacent to the air supply slot 28. Thus, pressurizedair introduced into the air hose inlet location 941 passes through thestationary drum end members 2 and into and through the air passages 42.This air dislodges any peanuts which had been retained by a vacuumapplied to a side of the air passages 42. The second upstandingstationary wall 26 also has a similar air passageway there through, andis separated from the first upstanding stationary wall 25 shown in FIG.6 by an arch of approximately 30 degrees. Thus, peanuts are held uponthe cylindrical drum member 4 by the vacuum until such point as thepeanuts directly overlie the extrudate rope 100, at which pointpressurized air is applied to allow the peanuts 601 to adhere to thecaramel coating 105. Further, the second air passageway formed in thesecond upstanding stationary wall 26 dislodges peanuts at a locationjust before the bottom most wall of the peanut hopper is reached. Atthis location, the cylindrical drum member 4 again experiences atinterior vacuum drawing and attaching peanuts to the air passages 42 soas to draw them from the peanut hopper.

A hub attaching member perimeter 34 is attached to the cylindrical shaftbody 11 by means of a setscrew 399. The Boston collar 120 shown ateither end of the shaft nut applicator rod 1 can also be attached bymeans of setscrews (not shown in FIG. 6). A bolt 470 is shown at the topand the bottom extent of the rotating drum end member 3 to affix it tothe cylindrical drum member 4. Both of these members rotate together.

The interior of the cylindrical drum member 4 is shown as having aninterior cylindrical surface 44, which is seen in FIG. 6. The airpassages 42 are also visible in the interior cylindrical surface 44. Aportion of a curvilinear slot 24 is aligned with a vacuum outlet bore 61formed in the air supply end plate 6. The hose connector 5 is alignedwith the vacuum outlet bore 61 so as to communicate with the interior ofcylindrical drum member 4. As air is drawn out by means of the vacuumhose 922, to remove air by way of the hose connector 5, suction isapplied from the interior of the cylindrical drum member 4 to each ofthe air passages 42. Thus, as the cylindrical drum member 4 rotatesthrough the interior portion of the peanut hopper, individual peanuts601 are picked up by each of the individual air passages 42. This causesa precisely predetermined number of peanuts to be applied to theextrudate rope 100 as the extrudate rope 100 passes beneath thecylindrical drum member 4.

The top of the front wall plate 8 is visible in FIG. 6 and is seen inelevational view. The rear wall plate 9 is not visible in FIG. 6. Theother parts shown in FIG. 6 are discussed in greater detail hereunder,and are shown in the other figures.

In FIG. 6, it is especially noted that the first upstanding stationarywall 25 remains motionless together with the stationary drum end members2 and the air supply end plate 6. It is the cylindrical drum member 4and the rotating drum end member 3 which rotate relative to thestationary drum end members 2.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational veiw of the air supply end plate 6. Inthis figure, the attachment slots 62 are shown in their true shape; onlytwo of the attachment slots 62 are shown, with six of the attachmentslots 62 actually being provided spaced equangularly and alsoequadistantly from the center of the bore 68. The bore 68 is boredthrough the plate completely so as to be adapted to receive the shaftnut applicator rod 1. Surrounding the bore 68 is a rim 69. Between therim 69 and the bore 68 is a shallow counterbore area which in FIG. 7appears as an annular ring about the bore 68.

The interior plate surface 60 is seen in FIG. 7, and has a pair of airinlet connection slots 63 shown in their true form in this figure. Theair inlet connection slots 63 extend completely through the plate andare used to provide space for an air supply to pass through the airsupply end plate 6. The slots are elongated so as to make closemachining tolerances of the air inlet connection slots 63 unnecessary,and also to permit an adjustable relative inclination of the stationarydrum end members 2 which is affixed to the air supply end plate 6 duringoperation. To this end, the attachment slots 62 are also formed asslots, since the stationary drum end members 2 is fastened to the airsupply end plate 6 by means of 6 bolts, the heads of which lie above theair supply end plate 6 in FIG. 7 and which are attached by insertioninto threaded bores formed in the stationary drum end members 2. Avacuum outlet bore 61 is bored through the air supply end plate 6 topermit passage of air from the interior of the cylindrical drum member 4into the vacuum outlet line. A pair of small threaded bores are disposedon opposite sides of the vacuum outlet bore 61, for permitting screw orbolt attachment of the hose connector 5 to the air supply end plate 6.

The air supply end plate 6 has a top plate edge 64, a bottom plate edge65, a first plate edge 66, and a second plate edge 67. The space betweenthe bore 68 and the rim 69 is called an annular ledge 70.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the air supply end plate 6 of FIG.7. Here, a plurality of threaded bores 620 are shown for receivingthreaded fastening members such as bolts or screws. Also, a plurality ofdowel holes 630 are shown in FIG. 8 for aligning the plate beforeinsertion of threaded fasteners into the threaded bores 620.

FIG. 9 is a top elevational view of a end plate 7. The end plate front90 is visible in FIG. 9 in frontal view. The end plate 7 has a top plateedge 91, a first side plate edge 92, a second side plate edge 94, and abottom plate edge 93. Also, the end plate 7 has a plurality of threadedbores 96 and a plurality of dowel holes 97, which are shown in FIG. 10.The threaded bores 96 and the dowel holes 97 are used for respectivelyfastening and aligning plate to the other members as shown in thepreceding figures. In particular, the threaded bores 96 are adapted toreceive a threaded member such as a screw or bolt for fasteningpurposes.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the end plate 7 of FIG. 9. In thisfigure, the second side plate edge 94 is visible in frontal elevationalview.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the front wall plate 8. In thisfigure, the wall front plate body 80 is visible in front elevationalview. The front wall plate 8 has a top front wall plate edge 83, abottom front wall plate edge 84, a left front wall plate edge 81, and aright front wall plate edge 82.

The front wall plate 8 has a plurality of bores 85 and bores 86. Each ofthe bores is formed completely through the front wall plate 8. The leftfront wall plate edge 81 and the right front wall plate edge 82 aresmooth and need not have any holes therein.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a rear wall plate 9. The rearwall plate 9 has a rear wall plate body 190. The rear wall plate 9 alsohas a left rear wall plate edge 191, a right rear wall plate edge 192, atop rear wall plate edge 193, and a bottom rear plate edge 194. Aplurality of bores 195 and of bores 196 are formed completely throughthe rear wall plate body 190. The bores are adapted to permit passage ofa threaded member therethrough so that the rear wall plate 9 can befastened, as by a screw to other members, as shown in FIG. 6. No otherholes need be formed in the edges or in the front or rear surfaces ofthe rear wall plate body 190.

In the preferred embodiment, described above, threaded fasteners areused. However, any type of fastening means may be used, for exampleultrasonic welding, glueing, use of adhesive, use of rivots, use ofcable or string, or the like. Any type of fastening means for fasteningparts together is comtemplated as being within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a rotating drum end member 3. Therotating drum end member 3 is adapted to be connected to, and rotatewith, the cylindrical drum member 4. To this end a plurality of bores332 are formed through the rotating drum end member 3, on a portion offlat annular ledge 31. A perimetral rim 331 is formed that is adapted tobe snuggly received within the inner portion of the cylindrical drummember 4 to which the rotating drum end member 3 is to be attached.

The rotating drum end member 3 has a flat inner surface 30, and a hubattaching member flat annular face 32 is formed on a cylindrical memberfixedly attached to the flat inner surface 30 and to the hub-receivingbore 39. The hub-receiving bore 39 is adapted to receive the hubattaching member. The hub attaching member has a hub attaching memberflat annular face 32 and a hub attaching member perimeter 34 as can beseen in FIG. 13. A key-shaped bore 37 is formed in the hub attachingmember. Also, the hub attaching member has in the preferred embodiment afirst setscrew threaded bore 35 and a second setscrew threaded bore 36.The first setscrew threaded bore 35 and the second setscrew threadedbore 36 are adapted to receive setscrews therein, for the purpose offixedly attaching th entire rotating drum end member 3 to the shaft nutapplicator rod 1.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the rotating drum end member 3 ofFIG. 13. Here, all of the above-mentioned features are prominent as wellas is the flat end member outer wall 33 which is the opposite surface tothat shown in FIG. 13. Additionally, a weld bead 38 is shown in bothFIGS. 13 and 14, and it is the weld bead 38 which fixedly attaches thehub attaching member to the main body of the rotating drum end member 3.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the cylindrical drum member 4.Here, the drum groove 41 can be clearly seen and has a plurality of airpassages 42 formed therethrough. The drum groove 41 is adapted toclosely abutt the surface of the extrudate rope 100 during operation ofthe cylindrical drum member 4, so as to dispense peanuts onto thecaramel coating 105.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, a true length of one of a plurality ofthreaded bores 47 is shown. The threaded bores 47 are spaced uniformallyabout the perimeter of the cylindrical drum member 4. The cylindricaldrum member 4 has a first rim portion 40 and a second rim portion 43;the first rim portion 40 is somewhat wider than the second rim portion43.

The cylindrical drum member 4 has a first drum side edge 45 and a seconddrum side edge 46.

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the cylindrical drum member 4,and shows the arrangement of two of the plurality of threaded bores 47.In FIG. 16, an interior cylindrical surface 44 is visible together witha dotted outline of the lower most extent of the drum groove 41. Also,two of the air passages 42 are shown in dotted outline in FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the shaft nut applicator rod 1.Here, the true length of a first slot 16 and a second slot 17 are shown.These slots are useful for receiving the tip or point of a setscrewwhich is used to fasten other members to the shaft nut applicator rod 1.The shaft nut applicator rod 1 has a first cylindrical shaft end 12 anda second cylindrical shaft end 13 the shaft nut applicator rod 1 isadapted to pass through and support the elements as seen in FIG. 6.

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the shaft nut applicator rod 1.Here, it is seen that the shaft nut applicator rod 1 has a circularperimeter, and the depth of the second slot edge 15 is seen in dottedoutline. The first slot 16 has a upper first slot edge 14 and a lowerfirst slot edge 18. The second slot 17 has an upper second slot edge 15and a lower second slot edge 15.

Although the shaft nut applicator rod 1 is shown as being a cylindricalsolid body, it may be hollowed out, or it may peliginal, or even have anirregular shape, so long as the corresponding parts which must be fittedto it have corresponding shapes where entry of the shaft nut applicatorrod 1 is permitted and where the other body is to rotate with the shaftnut applicator rod 1. In those articles through which the shaft nutapplicator rod 1 passes and rotates relative thereto, the opening in thebody through which the shaft nut applicator rod 1 passes need only beslightly larger than largest diameter of the shaft nut applicator rod 1.Additionally, the shaft nut applicator rod 1 can be hollowed out, orformed from a honeycomb shape, so long as it is sufficiently strong tosupport and rotate the components of the peanut applicator assembly.

It is contemplated that the foregoing parts of the peanut applicatorassembly may be manufactured preferrably of stainless steel or aluminum.Nonetheless, it is contemplated as being within the scope of the presentinvention to form the components of the peanut applicator assembly fromany known material such as plastic, brass, wood, stone or the like.Furthermore, although the shaft nut applicator rod 1 has a first slot 16and second slot 17, any known means of attaching the parts which are torotate together with the shaft nut applicator rod 1 may be used, forexample by welding, ultrasonic welding, glueing, rivoting, use ofadhesive, use of a shrink-fit between the components, or the like.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the portion of the cylindricaldrum member 4 indicated along 19--19 of FIG. 12. Here, the depth of theair passages, formed by internal bores 144 and air passages 42, areshown.

As can be seen, the two internal bores 144 have relatively deeperpenetrations into the thickness of the cylindrical drum member 4 due tothe greater relative depth of the respective air passages 42 associatedtherewith. A plurality of central bores 145 are present as well, in thisinstance a single one of the central bores 145 are shown. The depth ofthe one of the central bores 145 shown is much shorter than that ofeither of the internal bores 144. Each of the central bores 145 also isassociated therewith one of the air passages 42.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the stationary drum end members 2 takenfrom the rear. In this view, particularly clearly shown are the firstupstanding stationary wall 25, the second upstanding stationary wall 26,and the stationary cylindrical hub portion 22. The stationarycylindrical hub portion 22 has a stationary hub bore 23.

A curvilinear slot 24 is shown formed through the body of the stationarydrum end members 2. A disc 20 supports the first upstanding stationarywall 25, the second upstanding stationary wall 26, and the stationarycylindrical hub portion 22; these parts may be attached to the disc 20by any known method, such as welding, ultrasonic bonding, by the use ofthreaded fastening members, or the like. A plurality of stationary endmember mounting holes 21 are formed through the disc 20, and are spacedequiangularly and equidistantly from the center of the stationarycylindrical hub portion 22. The stationary end member mounting holes 21are shown in FIG. 20 as completely extending through the disc 20; eachof the holes 21 is threaded and is adapted to receive a threadedfaastening member. Although the holes 21 are shown in FIG. 20 extendingcompletely through the disc 20, this need not be so but rather the holesneed extend only a portion of the way through the disc from the oppositeside of the disc 20 from that shown. In such case, the holes would bevisible only in dotted outline in FIG. 20.

FIG. 21 is a rear elevational view, which is taken from the front ofFIG. 20 (which is itself a rear view). Here, the true length of each ofthe first upstanding stationary wall 25 and the second upstandingstationary wall 26 are shown. Also, the curvilinear slot 24 is shown intrue dimensions also in FIG. 21.

A transverse air supply bore 292 is shown in dotted outline in FIG. 21,and communicates with a air supply bore 29 (also shown in dottedoutline).

In FIG. 21 is shown in dotted outline a transverse air supply bore 292which communicates with an air supply bore 29. The air supply bore 29 inturn communicates with an air supply slot 28. Thus, air under pressureis supplied to the transverse air supply bore 292 to thereby supply itto the air supply slot 28 by way of the air supply bore 29. This supplyair path arrangement is formed in virtually identical fashion in boththe first upstanding stationary wall 25 and in the second upstandingstationary wall 26. The transverse air supply bore 292 penetrates thesurface opposing that shown in FIG. 21 (shown more clearly in FIG. 23).

In the preferred embodiment, the first upstanding stationary wall 25 andthe second upstanding stationary wall 26 are welded to the annular rim27 as indicated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 is a side sectional view taken along the line 22--22 of FIG. 21.Here, the stationary end member mounting holes 21 are shown clearly aspassing entirely through the thickness of the stationary drum endmembers 2. Also, a for shortened elevational view of the secondupstanding stationary wall 26 is visible in FIG. 22.

The end portion of the the first upstanding stationary wall 25 is alsovisible in elevational view in FIG. 22.

The air supply slot 28 is seen in FIG. 22 in dotted outline. Thestationary cylindrical hub portion 22 is in cross section, and the weldattachment points are shown in the figure. A raised annular rim 27 isvisible on the right hand portion of the stationary drum end members 2as seen in the figure. This portion is adapted to engage with theannular ledge 70 of the air supply end plate 6. This serves to locatethe plates together such that they are entirely concentric.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line 23--23 of FIG. 21.Here, a section is taken through the middle of the first upstandingstationary wall 25, and shows clearly the outline of the air passageway.The transverse air supply bore 292 intersects the air supply bore 29,which in turn opens out into the air supply slot 28. Thus, air enteringthe transverse air supply bore 292 is communicated to the air supplyslot 28. This air then would be in direct communication with therotating body of the cylindrical drum member 4. The air passages 42would receive air from the air supply slot 28, due to the closepositioning of the air supply slot 28 to the air passages 42.

FIG. 24 is an end elevational view of the first upstanding stationarywall 25. Here, the oblong oval outline of the air supply slot 28 is seenclearly. It is seen that the air supply bore 29 is circular. Thestationary cylindrical hub portion 22 is visible in FIG. 24 and isbehind the first upstanding stationary wall 25 in the figure, the sidesof the stationary cylindrical hub portion 22 pertruding beyond eitherside of the first upstanding stationary wall 25.

The curvilinear slot 24 is visible in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of the hose connector 5. The hoseconnector 5 has an interior hose connector bore 152, which is adapted toreceive the shaft nut applicator rod 1. The hose connector bore 152flares outwardly somewhat before intersecting the top surface 153 of thehose connector 5. A pair of bores 154 are seen in FIG. 25, and areadapted to permit passage of a threaded fastener therethrough so thatthe hose connector 5 can be fastened to the front surface of the airsupply end plate 6. This allows attachment of a vacuum hose, for exampleas by a friction fit by manually forcing the vacuum hose over the outersurface of the cylindrical hose connector member 151. Any connectingmeans may be used, however, between the vacuum hose and the hoseconnector 5. For example, the hose may be glued to the hose connector 5,or the hose may be applied about the outer surface of the cylindricalhose connector member 151 and a metal band wrapped about the outersurface of the vacuum hose and then tightened as by a screw or othermeans, so as to frictionally retain the hose on the hose connector 5.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the hose connector 5 taken along line24--24 of FIG. 25. The parts are numbered as in FIG. 25. The hoseconnector 5, as with all of the other parts used, may be of any materialthat is sufficiently strong to enable a hose to be attached to it, forexample aluminum, steel, stainless steel, bronze, wood, ceramicmaterial, or plastics are all contemplated as being within the scope ofthe present invention.

FIG. 27 is a view partially in section taken along line 27--27 ofFIG. 1. The extrudate rope 100 in FIG. 27 is shown as being of circularcross-section, which is merely one of a virtually infinite number ofvariations contemplated as being usable with the present invention; inthe preferred embodiment, the generally rectangular cross-section of theextrudate rope 100 as shown in FIG. 3 would be used. Here, it is seenhow the groove of the cylindrical drum member 4 meets the extrudate rope100. Also, visible in cross section beneath the conveyor belt 201 is apair of wooden blocks 810. These blocks underlie the conveyor belt 201so as to create a region between them within which the extrudate rope100 tends to remain centered. Beneath the conveyor belt 201 and thewooden blocks 810 is a support 108. The support 108 is conventionallymade of steel or other metal, but may in fact be any support surfaceover which a conveyor belt may pass.

While vacuum hose hose and air pressure lines are shown, which areconventionally made of rubber or the like material, the vacuum hose maybe formed of any type of conduit including stainless steel, plastic,ceramic material or the like. Furthermore, a director source of vacuummay be formed in any fashion from the location of the hose connector 5,as for example a strong fan of suitably small size may be used to drawair out of the cylindrical drum member 4 from the location at which thehose connector 5 is connected.

The improved peanut applicator and system of the present invention iscapable of achieving the above-enumerated objects and while preferredembodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will beunderstood that it is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodiedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a continuous confectioneryproduct comprising:(a) forming a continuous confectionery rope having anouter surface; (b) continuously applying discrete articles, such aspeanuts, raisins or the like to the outer surface of the rope bycontinuously passing the rope through an article applicator, saidapplicator including a hollow rotatable cylinder having an inner and anouter surface, a groove disposed in the outer surface having a pluralityof air passages extending from the inner surface to the outer surface;closely abutting said groove to said confectionery; applying a vacuum tothe inner surface of the cylinder to retain the articles on the airpassages within the groove as the cylinder passes by a hopper forsupplying the articles to the cylinder; interrupting said delivers thediscrete articles to the rope; and (c) applying a comestible coating tothe outer surface of the rope.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of interrupting said vacuum on said articles as thegroove substantially abuts the rope to drop the article onto the rope.3. The method of claim 2 comprising the step of applying a positivepressure to the inner surface of the cylinder as the groove closelyabuts the rope to assist said article onto the rope with sufficientforce to adhere the article on the surface of the rope.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising the step of warming said rope slightly to asoft texture to allow said articles to adhere to the rope.
 5. The methodof claim 1 where said articles are applied to side and central areas ofthe continuously moving rope.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said ropeincludes a first and second portion and the first and second portionsare co-extruded.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first portion is afudge composition and the second portion is a caramel composition. 8.The method of claim 1 wherein the groove substantially conforms to thecross-section of the rope.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the cylinderincludes a plurality of parallel grooves and abuts a plurality ofcontinuously moving ropes.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprisingthe step of placing said rope on a continuously moving conveyor meansand conveying the rope through said applicator.
 11. The method of claim1 comprising rotating the cylinder at the same speed as the forwardspeed of the continuously moving rope.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherethe plurality of air passages are uniformly spaced in the groove andsaid, articles are applied to the rope in a uniform pattern essentiallycorresponding to the spaced air passages.
 13. The method of claim 1further comprising severing the rope into uniform length pieces.
 14. Amethod of applying discrete articles to the outer surface of acontinuous plastic rope comprising:continuously passing a continuousplastic rope to an article applicator for applying discrete articles toa rope where said applicator includes a rotatable hollow cylinder havingan inner and outer surface, a groove disposed in the outer surfacehaving a plurality of spaced air passages extending from the innersurface to the outer surface, the groove being adapted to closely abutthe rope, applying a vacuum to the inner surface of the cylinder toretain articles on the air passages within the groove as the cylinderpasses by a hopper for supplying the articles to the cylinder, andinterrupting the vacuum on the articles as the articles abut the ropewhereby the articles are applied to the outer surface of the rope. 15.The method of claim 14 comprising the step of applying a positivepressure to the inner surface of the cylinder to interrupt the vacuum toassist said articles onto the surface of the rope.
 16. The method ofclaim 14 wherein said plastic rope is a confectionery rope.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 comprising warming said rope to a soft texture toallow said articles to adhere to the rope.
 18. The method of claim 14where said articles are applied to side and central areas of the rope.19. The method of claim 14 where said groove substantially conforms tothe cross-section of the rope.
 20. The method of claim 14 where saidcylinder includes a plurality of grooves and abuts a plurality of ropes.21. The method of claim 14 where said cylinder is rotated at a speedsubstantially equal to the forward speed of the rope.
 22. The method ofclaim 14 where said air passages are disposed equidistant on sides andbottom portions of the groove and the discrete articles are applied toside and central surfaces of the rope in a uniform spaced pattern. 23.The method of claim 14 where the groove is annular.
 24. A method ofapplying discrete articles to the outer surface of a continuous plasticrope comprising:(a) delivering a continuous plastic rope to an articleapplicator for applying discrete articles to the surface of thecontinuous rope, the applicator including a rotatable hollow cylinderhaving an inner and an outer surface, a groove disposed in said outersurface of the cylinder and having a plurality of spaced air passagesextending from the outer to the inner surface, means to apply a vacuumto the inner surface of the cylinder to retain articles on the airpassages within the groove as the cylinder passes by a hopper forsupplying the articles to the cylinder; (b) rotating the cylinder andapplying a vacuum to the inner side of the cylinder to retain thearticles on the air passages; (c) continuously passing said plastic ropethrough the applicator in a closely abutting relation with the groove ofthe rotatable cylinder; (d) interrupting the vacuum to the inner surfaceof the cylinder to dislodge the articles as the articles are in theabutting relationship with the rope.
 25. The method of claim 24 furthercomprising applying a positive pressure to the inner surface of thecylinder to interrupt the vacuum and assist the article onto the surfaceof the rope.
 26. The method of claim 24 where said rope is aconfectionery rope.
 27. The method of claim 26 comprising warming theconfectionery rope to a soft texture before applying the articles toallow the articles to adhere to the rope.
 28. The method of claim 24where air passages are disposed on the sides and bottoms of the grooveand articles are applied to side and central portions of the rope. 29.The method of claim 24 where the air passages are uniformly spaced inthe groove and articles are uniformly spaced on the rope.
 30. The methodof claim 24 where the groove conforms substantially to the cross-sectionof the rope.
 31. The method of claim 24 where the cylinder rotates atthe speed substantially equal to the forward speed of the rope.